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Police Now Saying a Female Soccer Coach Allegedly Assaulted 7 Boys over a 3 Year Period

6 days ago

An assistant soccer coach at Vernon Hills High School was charged Friday with criminal sexual assault in relation to at least 12 encounters with two male students, according to Vernon Hills police.

Cori Beard, 28, of the 300 block of Farmington Lane, Vernon Hills, was taken into custody for questioning Thursday evening shortly after a parent contacted a school employee, who then contacted police, said Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick Kreis.

A third student has been identified but is not part of Friday’s charges, Kreis said. Police believe there could be other victims and Kreis encourages parents and students to contact the police department or a school official.

“The investigation is still ongoing and fluid, and when it involves juvenile victims we deal with things in the most sensitive ways possible,” Kreis said. “If people have a hesitancy to contact the police department, we encourage them to go to a teacher or counselor or some other third party. They should talk to someone.”

Police do not believe the 12 acts occurred on school property, Kreis said.

A third student has been identified but is not part of Friday’s charges, Kreis said. Police believe there could be other victims and Kreis encourages parents and students to contact the police department or a school official.

“The investigation is still ongoing and fluid, and when it involves juvenile victims we deal with things in the most sensitive ways possible,” Kreis said. “If people have hesitancy to contact the police department, we encourage them to go to a teacher or counselor or some other third party. They should talk to someone.”

Police do not believe the 12 acts occurred on school property, Kreis said.

“Elements of these offenses include the fact that she was in a position of trust at the school, and there are high standards that come with that trust,” Kreis said.

The sexual acts took place between December 2016 and February 2018 and some occurred while one or both students were under the age of 17, according to Kreis.

The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center assisted in interviewing the students, Kreis said.

Beard has been an assistant coach for both the boys and girls soccer teams since 2013, according to a statement from High School District 128.